A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fourie family of France.
Reg. 0995 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois bandes d'or; au chef d'arg., ch. d'une tête de lion de gu.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1591
Where the Fourie Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Fourie arms are recorded
The Fourie arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1591.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Fourie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Fourie Family in France
PronunciationFOO-ree/fuˈʁi/
The surname Fourie traces its historical roots to the Lorraine region of France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1591. The name is widely believed to be a variation of the French word "fourier," which historically referred to a person responsible for providing fodder for horses or arranging lodging for traveling officials. During the late 17th century, many individuals bearing this name were part of the Huguenot community, a group of French Protestants who faced significant religious persecution. Seeking safety and religious freedom, several members of the family fled France and eventually settled in the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Their arrival in the late 1600s marked the beginning of the family's long history in Southern Africa, where they became well-established as farmers and community leaders over the following centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fornarius
Latin term for a baker or someone who works with ovens.
This name
FourieAn occupational surname for a baker or a person who operated a bread oven.
also spelled
Fourie
Fouriere
Fooryay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Botha, C. G., The French Refugees at the Cape, 1921
Coertzen, P., The Huguenots of South Africa 1688-1988, 1988
National Archives of South Africa, Cape Town Archives Repository (KAB), series Council of Policy (C)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
